https://www.vikings.com/news/skol-chant-sports-illustrated-ranking-nfl-rallying-cries

Vikings SKOL Chant Tops Sports Illustrated's Ranking of NFL Rallying Cries

The countdown to kickoff — and the NFL's best stadium chant — is underway.

With Vikings 2026 Training Camp beginning next week and the first exhibition less than a month away, the excitement for game days is rapidly growing. We're eager for touchdowns, celebrations, victories and rallying cries. The latter is important to note since it gives Minnesota a supreme home-field advantage.

Karl Rasmussen of Sports Illustrated on Monday handed the Vikings — and fans — their flowers, ranking the "SKOL Vikings!" chant as the greatest of its kind in the NFL. He wrote the following of the battle cry:

The term "skol" stems from the Norwegian, Danish and Swedish word "skål," which means "cheers." Interestingly, the Vikings adopted the chant from the Icelandic men's national soccer team, who displayed and popularized it during the 2016 Euros. It made its way to Minnesota not long after that. When the Vikings played their first regular-season game at U.S. Bank Stadium in September 2016, legendary quarterback Fran Tarkenton led the fan base in the first rendition of the now-iconic thunderclap that has become a staple for the franchise. This chant can give anyone goosebumps. The beating of the drum, followed by the booming clap and "Skol!" roar, creates palpable intensity.

It's not only a treat for the ears and a way for spectators to stay involved with the on-field action, but it's also a weapon for the home team. For instance, two seasons ago the roar of the crowd resulted in Houston's offense committing a series of pre-snap infractions in a row. The penalties stole the Texans' confidence and helped the Vikings jump out to a convincing lead that never was in doubt in a 34-7 win.

The SKOL Chant also has seeped into road stadiums, and it's even showed up across the pond during international contests in London and Ireland. This season, it could overtake Estadio Banorte in Mexico City in a Week 11 matchup against San Francisco. Fans don't just love doing it — the players feed off it.

For what it's worth, NFC North counterparts Chicago ("Bear Down, Chicago Bears") and Green Bay ("Go Pack Go!") made the cut at Nos. 9 and 10, and second place was awarded to Jacksonville's "Duuuval," a nod to Duval County.